accomplish during the afternoon so that our spouses won ’ t have a problem with us playing even more pickleball that evening .
It may yet be several weeks before the new leaves on the trees outside the courts will block the sun ’ s rays coming through , but there is nothing quite like the sight of the fresh buds opening , or the wildflowers that seem to have appeared from nowhere .
Being up early to play pickleball in the spring puts Canadians in touch with nature in so many ways . We see the ducks and geese arriving at their feeding and nesting spots . We brake to allow a rabbit to cross the street in front of us , still white from its winter camouflage . In every group there seems to be at least one professional birder , who can identify the song of a returning species or spot a circling eagle so far away that most others won ’ t see it until someone points at it with a paddle .
A few years ago , drop-in play was common — simply show up at
the courts , lean your paddle against the fence or set it in a rack , wait for a court to open , then go play with the owners of the three paddles next to yours . When you finished that game , you put your paddle back in line and started the process over . It was a great way to play with and get to know lots of people . COVID-19 , however , has had a large impact on the way we play pickleball .
Now we plan to meet three or four people , occasionally up to a group of eight or nine , at a court or courts that have been booked and we play together exclusively . We don ’ t meet as many new players , but the bonds with those in our bubbles have grown quite strong . It ’ s not better or worse , just a necessary change .
In Canada , as in many other countries , tournament play has also been greatly affected by the pandemic . Over the past couple of years , far more tournaments have been canceled than played in our country . However , last August , the Canadian National Championships held in Red Deer , Alberta , went ahead , and by all accounts the event was a great success .
This year , the National Championships will be held in Kingston , Ontario , June 20-26 at the INVISTA Center . Kingston previously hosted these games in 2019 and that experience virtually ensures a wellrun event . The organizers expect 800 competitors from every part of Canada , all vying for national titles . Outdoors or indoors , Canadian pickleball enthusiasts will continue to find ways to play this addictive sport we love so much . Spring always feels like a new beginning , and a reward for having endured another long winter .
As we have reason to believe the pandemic is nearing its final stages , we lace up our shoes and head to the pickleball courts with more hope than ever . It ’ s difficult not to be filled with excitement and anticipation as an opponent calls out “ 0-0-2 ,” and you hear the clack of the first serve .
It ’ s game on , and Canada is ready for a new season of pickleball ! •
MARCH / APRIL 2022 | MAGAZINE 61